Electronic gaming machines with different player or dealer assigned virtual card stacks or other symbol sets

ABSTRACT

A gaming apparatus and methods which include multiple virtual stacks of symbols, such as cards. In one form each player has an individual virtual stack and the dealer has one stack. In another form each player has one stack and the dealer has individual virtual stacks for each player. Other alternatives are also described.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The inventions relate to electronic gaming machines having virtual decksof cards, virtual stacks of symbols or other virtual symbol sets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The casino and gaming industry is confronted with many challengesconcerning cheating by players, dealers and others who are constantlylooking for new avenues for making money. The industry is highlyregulated by government. Thus, there are a number of regulations whichalso act as constraints in the design, manufacturing and use of gamingequipment.

The casino gaming industry has adopted electronic gaming machines havingmultiple participants in many places. The machines have certainadvantages that are well-known. In the case of card games, the need forcards is eliminated and it is possible to track game action. Thetracking of game action may be used for analysis to try and discovercheating schemes and for awarding players complimentary lodging, food,beverages and travel. This tracking is more difficult and of particularadvantage when multiple player games are involved, such as table games.

Another problem that has been experienced is where the decision of oneplayer affects the card or cards received by another player. Forexample, in blackjack, a first player may choose to receive an extracard or more, as compared to what a next or second player thinks iswise. This choice is the free act of the first player, but the next orsecond player may feel that such decision was unreasonable. This wouldtypically be in the context of where the first player asks for anothercard and that card causes the first player's count to exceed twenty-oneand thus go bust. Then when the next, second player gets his card orcards, if the count for the second player would have resulted in awinner if the first player had not overplayed their hand, then thesecond player may get angry. This has led to unpleasant exchanges atcasino tables and even fist fights.

Besides card games, other casino or gambling games use a variety ofsymbols, such as slot symbols, numbers, letters or picture symbols orother symbol sets. Such games are sometimes called novelty games. Inmany there is assignment of symbols from a symbol set. Some of the sameproblems as discussed above also apply to such novelty games.

The current invention seeks to reduce the risks of cheating and playerdiscord while doing so in a manner that provides compliance withregulatory agencies. Also important is that the players may react morefavorably for games using the novel inventions hereof because they maybe perceived as fairer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred forms, configurations, embodiments and/or diagrams relating toand helping to describe preferred versions of the inventions areexplained and characterized herein, often with reference to theaccompanying drawings. The drawings and all features shown therein alsoserve as part of the disclosure of the inventions of the currentapplication. Such drawings are briefly described below.

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a table game system which includes preferredembodiments of the inventions described herein.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating components used in systems according tosome preferred embodiments according to the inventions.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating components used in systems according toother preferred embodiments of the inventions.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating preferred processes according toone embodiment of the inventions.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating preferred processes according toanother embodiment of the inventions.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating preferred processes according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating preferred processes according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating preferred processes according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an alternative multiple participant table showing anotherembodiment according to the inventions which is adapted for play by agroup of players without a designated dealer position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Introductory Note

The readers of this document should understand that the embodimentsdescribed herein may rely on terminology used in any section of thisdocument and other terms readily apparent from the drawings and thelanguage common therefor as may be known in a particular art and such asprovided by dictionaries. Widely known are Webster's Third NewInternational Dictionary, The Oxford English Dictionary (SecondEdition), and The New Century Dictionary, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference for interpretation of terms used herein andfor application and use of words defined in such references to moreadequately or aptly describe various features, aspects and conceptsshown or otherwise described herein using more appropriate words havingmeanings applicable to such features, aspects and concepts.

This document is premised upon using one or more terms with oneembodiment that may also apply to other embodiments for similarstructures, functions, features and aspects of the invention. Wordingused in the claims is also descriptive of the invention and the text ofboth claims and abstract are incorporated by reference into thedescription entirely in the form as originally filed. Terminology usedwith one, some or all embodiments may be used for describing anddefining the technology and exclusive rights associated therewith.

The readers of this document should further understand that theembodiments described herein may rely on terminology and features usedin any section or embodiment shown in this document and other termsreadily apparent from the drawings and language common therefor. Thisdocument is premised upon using one or more terms or features shown inone embodiment that may also apply to or be combined with otherembodiments for similar structures, functions, features and aspects ofthe invention and provide additional embodiments of the inventions.

Preferred Gaming Table Embodiments

FIG. 1 shows one preferred embodiment which is in the form of a multipleparticipant gaming system having positions for multiple liveparticipants. FIG. 9 shows another alternative multiple participantgambling system 410 which is also for multiple participants but does nothave a designated dealer position for attendance by a live dealer.Instead, the system is used to accommodate multiple player participantswithout a designated live dealer.

First Preferred Gambling Game System

System 10 includes a table structure 20. Table 20 includes a supportbase which is advantageously made in a form having a set of legs. Asshown, the support base is in a trestle configuration having two endpieces having legs with feet that rest upon a supporting floor or otherstructure. A trestle beam 22 extends between the end pieces and servesto add greater structural rigidity.

The multiple participant system shown in FIG. 1 preferably has at leastone dealer position and at least one player position. More preferably aplurality of player positions are shown, specifically six playerpositions and one dealer position. The dealer position is adjacent to adealer display 50. The six player positions are adjacent to playerdisplays 61-66. As shown, the dealer position also has a moneyreceptacle in the form of money receiver 24 having a slot into whichbills are fed when a player is using currency, casino paper credit slipsor other such credit or value. The dealer display 50 is preferably inthe form of a touch screen display through which the dealer also inputsany game inputs and options for which the dealer is responsible.

The casino gaming table 10 of FIG. 1 also shows player inputs in theform of either or both touch screen displays 61-66 and/or manuallydepressed controls 67. The choice is optional or both can be used toprovide advantages particular to the game being played on a particulartable.

FIG. 1 further shows player card readers 71-76. Card readers 71-76 canbe used to read credit cards, debit cards, casino voucher or creditcards, identification cards, or other suitable money, credit oridentification equivalents.

Second Preferred Gambling Game System

FIG. 9 shows another form in which inventions according to theinventions hereof may be embodied in another preferred form. Numbersthat represent the same or similar to features for the version of FIG. 9are numbered four in the hundreds column with respect to similar numbersfor the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows a multiple participant table 410 used to play poker orother games which may be suitably played without the need for a livedealer. Alternatively, a dealer function might be, to whatever degreeneeded, be completely automated or performed by one or more of theplayers. Still further it may be alternated amongst the players orperformed by the players in response to their request or requests forcards from the processor. Such will depend on the desired system andparticular type or rules of the game being played.

Gambling game system 410 includes a processor (not shown in FIG. 9)either on-board or remote, such as described in connection with thegambling game system 110. A preferred placement is beneath the tabletop. The upper surface or field surface 482 provides the top of thetable and can be felted or otherwise covered as desired. A paddedsurround 481 is also shown for comfort of the players.

The gambling gaming system 410 shown in FIG. 9 includes six playerpositions adjacent to six player display and control panels 461-466. Theplayer display and control panels 461-466 may provide information aboutone or more of the following: the player's available money or credit;active player on the table; display of player cards or other symbols;control touch screen soft keys; amounts bet; cards held by others;common cards; or other desired information. FIG. 9 shows the bezel orsurround about the player displays as being provided with identificationcard reader receptacles 471-476 serving the same functions as describedabove with regard to identification, money equivalent, credit or otheridentification or monetary value functions as explained with regard tothe slots and associated readers 71-76 of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 also shows a central display 467 which may show a variety ofdifferent types of information. In the preferred embodiment shown, it isused to essentially show the action of a poker game and presentsinformation that is the equivalent to what might appear on a manualtable with enhancements as desired. Displayed information may include:common cards shared by one or more players; the number of cards dealt toall players; the active player; the bets placed by each active player;the size of the pot or other prize or award available; recommendedstrategy; scores and other information may also be shown as is needed orparticular to a game or the rules being played.

Electronic Diagrams of Preferred Embodiments

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a preferred electronic layout of a firstpreferred version of an electronic control system which may be used inthe table of FIG. 1. The electronics preferably include a processorwhich is advantageously on-board the table, but can alternatively beplaced elsewhere and the table can be connected or disconnected to asuitable processor or processors which are remote from the table.

FIG. 2 also shows the dealer display 50 and player displays 61-66. Forpurposes of FIG. 2 the player controls are assumed to be part of touchscreen displays. The bill validator or other bill acceptor 24 is notshown but is connected to the processor 31 as is appropriate. Optionalidentification readers and player control buttons are further not shownin FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 for purposes of simplicity but should be understoodto be connected as appropriate depending on the particular design of thetable and control system.

Whether the processor is on the table 10 or elsewhere it includes ashuffling subroutine 32 having a random number generator. The operationof current versions of shuffling subroutine is described further belowand future techniques may also be possible.

The shuffling or reordering process performed by subroutine 32 of FIG. 2is used to define a single dealer stack or other symbol set 100. Thisdealer symbol set is thus different from and can be totally discretefrom any other player stack. It may also alternatively include in partall or portions of a common stack or other symbol set (not shown). Inmany preferred versions the dealer and player stacks are totallydiscrete. In some games shared symbols may be desired.

FIG. 2 also shows the shuffling subroutine defining player stacks orother symbol sets 111-116. Thus, when players are assigned or dealtcards or other symbols from their respective stacks or other symbolsets, the symbols they receive are in whole or part independent fromthose assigned to other players and the dealer.

Electronic Diagrams of Second Preferred Embodiment

FIG. 3 shows another preferred alternative of the inventions where theconstruction includes a plurality of dealer stacks or other symbol sets101-106. Theses stacks or symbol sets 101-106 are used by the dealerrelative to assigning cards or other symbols to the dealer for play withthe respective players at displays 61-66.

In alternative forms of the invention the dealer may have one or morestacks or symbol sets, even one or more symbol sets for each player orsome of the players according to rules or desirable aspects of theinvention.

In alternative forms the players may also have one or more stacks orsymbol sets.

Shuffling or Reordering

The shuffling of card symbols or other symbols constitutes a reorderingof the symbol sets. This can be done a single time during play of a gameor multiple times during the course of playing the game. Anotherapproach is to shuffle or reorder the symbols between assignment of eachsymbol to a player or dealer so that the next symbol assigned is unknownuntil just before the assignment or after a prior assignment inanticipation for another possible assignment next in turn for theparticular participant involved.

A further alternative process for shuffling or reordering is to removepreviously assigned cards or other symbols from the symbol sets so thatsuch symbols are not likely to appear or if there are plural suchsymbols (such as multiple decks of cards within a symbol set), then thefrequency or likelihood of such symbol appearing is changed.

Other approaches to changing the symbol set during reordering may alsobe used as appropriate for the particular game being played. Forexample, all of a particular card may be removed from a symbol set afterit has been once assigned. Although such variations are not necessarilypreferred in most current casino gambling games, such is possible andcan be implemented in the conduct of variant versions of the inventionstaught herein.

Sequencing of Shuffling or Reordering of Symbol Sets.

FIG. 4 shows one preferred method for performing the operation andmethods of the inventions described herein. In step 200 the processorshuffles the dealer stack in a first step 200. Thereafter a similarreordering of the symbol sets can be done for players one through six insteps 211-216. The play of the game is then performed in either a formwhich utilizes the defined stacks or symbol sets, or this process can berepeated depending on the rules of the game. Reordering can be performedaccording to various schemes as explained above wherein reorderingoccurs during the actual play of the game. Each stack or symbol set maybe treated the same or according to another reordering scheme becausethey are different or totally distinct from each other.

FIG. 5 shows another sequence for assigning symbols wherein the playerstacks or symbol sets are performed first in steps 211-216 and then theat least one dealer stack 200 is reordered. Similarly, the game isplayed according to the rules as diagrammatically shown in step 299.

FIG. 5 is also representative of a typical implementation of the symbolset reordering process that might be used in a game played on thegambling game system shown in FIG. 9. Other routines as shown anddescribed elsewhere may also be used and a dealer stack or symbol setmay be needed or not needed depending upon the game. The “dealer” symbolset may alternatively serve as a community card symbol set separate fromeach player symbol set or variants of symbol sets.

FIG. 6 shows a further version of incorporating the inventions describedherein. In the process of FIG. 6 the dealer has at least one stack orsymbol set per player. These are reordered or shuffled in steps 201-206.The at least one player stacks are reordered in steps 211-216 and thegame is played as appropriate in step 299. Again the process of FIG. 6can be performed once or multiple times during play of the game.

FIG. 7 shows another process which may be used with inventions accordinghereto. The plural dealer stacks which are preferably associated witheach of the players or active players (player positions at which aperson is playing). The dealer stack for player one is shuffled orreordered in step 201. Then the associated dealer stack is shuffled instep 211. The dealer stacks and player stacks or other symbol sets arethus shuffled or otherwise reordered alternately in steps 202, 212; 203,213; 204, 214; 205, 215; and 206, 216 to perform the reordering for therespective stacks associated with dealer and player participation in analternating sequential fashion. Step 299 shows the sequence ofreordering steps is thus performed prior to play of a game or the playof a portion of a game, for example one round of dealing cards to eachplayer and a dealer.

FIG. 8 shows another process similar to that shown in FIG. 7 with theplayer stacks or symbol sets being shuffled or otherwise reordered firstand sequentially intermittently with the dealer stacks. Game play orplay of a round or other portion of the game is represented by step 299.

Further Aspects and Features

The above description has set out various features and aspects of theinvention and the preferred embodiments thereof. Such aspects andfeatures may further be defined according to the following claims whichmay individually or in various combinations help to define theinvention.

Interpretation Note

The inventions shown and described herein have been described inlanguage directed to the current preferred embodiments. Also shown anddescribed with regard to various structural and methodological features.The scope of protection as defined by the claims is not intended to benecessarily limited to the specific sizes, shapes, features or otheraspects of the preferred embodiments shown and described. The claimedinventions may be implemented or embodied in other forms while stillincluding the concepts shown and described herein. Also included areequivalents of the inventions which can be made without departing fromthe scope of concepts properly protected hereby.

1. An apparatus forming a gambling gaming system for playing one or moregames involving multiple participants, comprising: at least one displayfor displaying information indicating at least part of the virtualsymbols assigned to said participants; at least one processor forprocessing and assigning virtual symbols to said participants, and forproviding information for displaying on said at least one display saidvirtual symbols so assigned as is appropriate according to the game orgames being played; wherein said at least one processor assigns virtualparticipant symbol sets, including at least one symbol set for eachparticipant; and, wherein said participant symbol sets are different forthe different participants.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 whereinthe at least one processor assigns one symbol set to each of theparticipants.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at leastone processor assigns at least one symbol set to each of theparticipants.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at leastone processor assigns plural symbol sets to each of the participants. 5.An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one processorassigns plural symbol sets to at least one of the participants.
 6. Anapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one processorassigns plural symbol sets to each of the participants.
 7. An apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the at least one display is further definedby having plural displays.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 1 whereinthe at least one processor assigns at least one symbol set using arandom number generator.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 1 whereinthe at least one processor assigns at least one symbol set to each ofthe participants by reordering the at least one symbol set betweenassignment of symbols.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein theat least one processor assigns at least one symbol set to each of theparticipants by reordering the at least one symbol set betweenassignment of symbols with previously assigned symbols excluded.
 11. Anapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one processorassigns symbol sets to participants in a sequential manner.
 12. Anapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one processorassigns symbol sets to participants in a manner wherein the dealerreceives at least one dealer symbol set and players receive at least onesymbol set.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at leastone processor assigns symbol sets to participants in a manner whereindealer symbol sets are assigned intermittently with player symbol sets.14. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one processorassigns symbol sets to participants in a random manner.
 15. An apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the at least one processor assigns symbolsets to players first and then dealer symbol sets.
 16. An apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the at least one processor assigns symbolsets to dealers first and then player symbol sets.
 17. An apparatusforming a gambling gaming system for playing one or more casino gamesinvolving multiple participants including a live dealer and at least onelive player, comprising: at least one display for displaying informationindicating at least part of the virtual symbols assigned to saidparticipants; at least one processor for processing and assigningvirtual symbols to said participants, and for providing information fordisplaying on said at least one display said virtual symbols so assignedas is appropriate according to the game or games being played; whereinsaid at least one processor assigns virtual participant symbol sets,including at least one symbol set for each participant; and, whereinsaid participant symbol sets are different for the differentparticipants.
 18. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the atleast one processor assigns one symbol set to each of the participants.19. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the at least oneprocessor assigns at least one symbol set to each of the participants.20. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the at least oneprocessor assigns plural symbol sets to each of the participants.
 21. Anapparatus according to claim 17 wherein the at least one processorassigns plural symbol sets to at least one of the participants.
 22. Anapparatus according to claim 17 wherein the at least one processorassigns plural symbol sets to each of the participants.
 23. An apparatusaccording to claim 17 wherein the at least one display is furtherdefined by having plural displays.
 24. An apparatus according to claim17 wherein the at least one processor assigns at least one symbol setusing a random number generator.
 25. An apparatus according to claim 17wherein the at least one processor assigns at least one symbol set toeach of the participants by reordering the at least one symbol setbetween assignment of symbols.
 26. An apparatus according to claim 17wherein the at least one processor assigns at least one symbol set toeach of the participants by reordering the at least one symbol setbetween assignment of symbols with previously assigned symbols excluded.27. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the at least oneprocessor assigns symbol sets to participants in a sequential manner.28. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the at least oneprocessor assigns symbol sets to participants in a manner wherein thedealer receives at least one dealer symbol set and players receive atleast one symbol set.
 29. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein theat least one processor assigns symbol sets to participants in a mannerwherein dealer symbol sets are assigned intermittently with playersymbol sets.
 30. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the at leastone processor assigns symbol sets to participants in a random manner.31. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the at least oneprocessor assigns symbol sets to players first and then dealer symbolsets.
 32. An apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the at least oneprocessor assigns symbol sets to dealers first and then player symbolsets.
 33. An apparatus forming a gambling gaming system for playing oneor more live casino games involving multiple participants including alive dealer and the capability of having a plurality of live playersparticipate, comprising: at least one display for displaying informationindicating at least part of the virtual symbols assigned to saidparticipants; at least one processor for processing and assigningvirtual symbols to said participants, and for providing information fordisplaying on said at least one display said virtual symbols so assignedas is appropriate according to the game or games being played; whereinsaid at least one processor assigns virtual participant symbol sets,including at least one symbol set for each participant; and, whereinsaid participant symbol sets are different for the differentparticipants.
 34. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the atleast one processor assigns one symbol set to each of the participants.35. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the at least oneprocessor assigns at least one symbol set to each of the participants.36. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the at least oneprocessor assigns plural symbol sets to each of the participants.
 37. Anapparatus according to claim 33 wherein the at least one processorassigns plural symbol sets to at least one of the participants.
 38. Anapparatus according to claim 33 wherein the at least one processorassigns plural symbol sets to each of the participants.
 39. An apparatusaccording to claim 33 wherein the at least one display is furtherdefined by having plural displays.
 40. An apparatus according to claim33 wherein the at least one processor assigns at least one symbol setusing a random number generator.
 41. An apparatus according to claim 33wherein the at least one processor assigns at least one symbol set toeach of the participants by reordering the at least one symbol setbetween assignment of symbols.
 42. An apparatus according to claim 33wherein the at least one processor assigns at least one symbol set toeach of the participants by reordering the at least one symbol setbetween assignment of symbols with previously assigned symbols excluded.43. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the at least oneprocessor assigns symbol sets to participants in a sequential manner.44. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the at least oneprocessor assigns symbol sets to participants in a manner wherein thedealer receives at least one dealer symbol set and players receive atleast one symbol set.
 45. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein theat least one processor assigns symbol sets to participants in a mannerwherein dealer symbol sets are assigned intermittently with playersymbol sets.
 46. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the at leastone processor assigns symbol sets to participants in a random manner.47. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the at least oneprocessor assigns symbol sets to players first and then dealer symbolsets.
 48. An apparatus according to claim 33 wherein the at least oneprocessor assigns symbol sets to dealers first and then player symbolsets.
 49. A method for playing a gambling game or games involvingvirtual symbols assigned to multiple participants, comprising: providinga plurality of virtual symbol sets with at least one virtual symbol setassigned respectively to each active participant; shuffling theplurality of virtual symbol sets, the shuffling for each of theplurality of virtual symbol sets being different for each at least onesymbol set assigned to each active participant; assigning one or moresymbols to each active participant from the shuffled symbol setsassigned to each respective participant.
 50. A method according to claim49 wherein a dealer participant is provided with a single virtual symbolset and at least one player participant is provided with a singlevirtual symbol set.
 51. A method according to claim 49 wherein a dealerparticipant is provided with at least one virtual symbol set and atleast one player participant is provided with a single virtual symbolset.
 52. A method according to claim 49 wherein a dealer participant isprovided with at least one virtual symbol set and at least one playerparticipant is provided with at least one single virtual symbol set. 53.A method according to claim 49 wherein a dealer participant is providedwith a plurality of virtual symbol sets and a player participant isprovided with at least one virtual symbol set.
 54. A method according toclaim 49 wherein a dealer participant is provided with a plurality ofvirtual symbol sets at least one virtual symbol set for each activeplayer and a player participant is provided with a single virtual symbolset.
 55. A method according to claim 49 and further comprisingdisplaying at least a portion of the virtual symbol sets.
 56. A methodaccording to claim 49 and further comprising shuffling the virtualsymbol sets between assigning one or more symbols to each activeparticipant.
 57. A method according to claim 49 and further comprisingshuffling the virtual symbol sets between assigning one or more symbolsto each active participant with previously assigned symbols removed fromthe symbol sets from which symbols are assigned.
 58. A method forplaying a gambling game or games involving virtual symbols assigned tomultiple participants, comprising providing a plurality of virtualsymbol sets with at least one virtual symbol set assigned respectivelyto each active participant; shuffling the plurality of virtual symbolsets, the shuffling for each of the plurality of virtual symbol setsbeing different for each at least one symbol set assigned to each activeparticipant; assigning one or more symbols to each active participantfrom the shuffled symbol sets assigned to each respective participant.59. A method according to claim 55 wherein a dealer participant isprovided with a single virtual symbol set and at least one playerparticipant is provided with a single virtual symbol set.
 60. A methodaccording to claim 55 wherein a dealer participant is provided with atleast one virtual symbol set and at least one player participant isprovided with a single virtual symbol set.
 61. A method according toclaim 55 wherein a dealer participant is provided with at least onevirtual symbol set and at least one player participant is provided withat least one single virtual symbol set.
 62. A method according to claim55 wherein a dealer participant is provided with a plurality of virtualsymbol sets and a player participant is provided with at least onevirtual symbol set.
 63. A method according to claim 55 wherein a dealerparticipant is provided with a plurality of virtual symbol sets at leastone virtual symbol set for each active player and a player participantis provided with a single virtual symbol set.
 64. A method according toclaim 55 further comprising displaying at least some of the virtualsymbol sets.
 65. A method according to claim 55 and further comprisingshuffling the virtual symbol sets between assigning one or more symbolsto each active participant.
 66. A method according to claim 55 andfurther comprising shuffling the virtual symbol sets between assigningone or more symbols to each active participant with previously assignedsymbols removed from the symbol sets from which symbols are assigned.